Don't give up on the small traders

SIR - I own the Lighthouse shop which Mrs Neale mentioned in her letter of March 8. I would like to thank her for highlighting the present difficulties for city-centre retailers.

The state of the city in general and in particular around the area where my business is located is giving cause for real concern. I am effectively trading in a construction site.

However despite the difficulties we are open and trading as normal and can be accessed from the main road despite the bollards.

We will at some time in the near future be re-siting the business as the building will be demolished. Our initial intention was to stay within the city centre. However the lack of commitment from the Council to independent retailers in Bradford is making me wonder whether I would be better to re-site elsewhere.

To encourage people in the city to shop the Council cannot afford to wait another two years until the reconstruction is complete. By that time many more of the remaining retailers may have vanished for ever.

While it is of paramount importance for the city to secure the large national retailers it is also important to have a good mix of small independents. It is these shops which give a city its unique atmosphere and individuality.

To Mrs Neale and the many who share her feelings I say don't give up on Bradford. There are still good shops and with some commitment from the Council there may well be more to make shopping in Bradford a more pleasant experience.

Ashley Anderton, proprietor, The Lighthouse, Hall Ings, Bradford.

Sharing the cost

SIR - How interesting that Health Secretary John Reid is attacking Tory NHS plans saying they will cost more money and increase waiting lists.

Under Labour, if an operation costs £2,000 that's it. Under the Tories they would give you £1,000 towards having it done privately, therefore it would cost the NHS £1,000 not to do it and shorten the waiting list.

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Harden.

A great disservice

SIR - Upon reading the letter from Peter Meer (T&A, March 10) one has to ask, has he been out of the country since before Christmas?

It does a great disservice to those who organised a petition for free transport and it does a greater disservice to those who signed them.

Councillor King, chairman of the WYPTA, accepted a petition with more than 2,000 signatures and presented it to Bradford's MPs supporting a Private Members Bill for free transport for pensioners.

If Mr Meer looks at the T&A of December 23, 2004, he will learn that we argued against other cities in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland enjoying the privilege of free travel along with Europe.

He should keep himself well informed by reading the T&A. We do, of course, have to keep up the pressure on other issues concerning pensioners so come to City Hall on Monday, April 18, from 2pm to 5pm, and let your voice be heard!

Audrey Raistrick, Secretary, Neighbourly Care Bradford, Victoria Road, Bradford.

RSPCA disgrace

SIR - Re R M Kirton's letter (T&A, March 14), the RSPCA in Bradford are a waste of time.

I reported an injured cat which had somehow got its collar wrapped round its front leg.

My wife and I tried to catch it, to no avail. We also tried to follow it and knocked on doors to see whose it was, also to no avail.

I rang the RSPCA for some help only to be told by one person not to feed it - we had tried tempting it with food - but then were told to feed it, catch it, then ring another number for an ambulance. I tried explaining that even on three good legs we could not catch the cat.

Mr Kirton is right, maybe if Rolf Harris, Truda Mostue or any of the real-life presenters or vets were involved we might get some results.

All I want is the RSPCA to come and help a cat in distress. Obviously they can't be bothered.

Andrew Richard Bower, Wroe Terrace, Wyke.

Empty our bins

SIR - Could anyone tell me why I bother to pay my poll tax for refuse collection? I regularly have to ring Bradford Council because the bins in our street have not been emptied.

On several occasions there may have been a car parked in the street, or this week it was a skip, but the street is no longer than 100ft so why can't the refuse collectors walk down it to collect them and walk back to the wagon?

The idea of a wheelie bin is that it can be wheeled easily and emptied easily. Is it too much to ask for this slight change to the normal routine?

Maybe if everyone who has been let down by the Cleansing Department refused to pay the portion of council tax relating to their service, or rather the lack of service, there would be an improvement.

In the meantime the bins are still waiting to be emptied!

Mrs B Shutak, Mayfield Place, Wyke.

l Bradford Council's Principal Cleansing Officer, John Turner, said: "We have a clear procedure when roads are blocked which it appears was not followed in this case. I will be investigating this matter further and I do apologise to Mrs Shutak for the inconvenience.

"On a general note, obstruction caused by parked cars is an ever-increasing problem for the division. I would therefore be grateful if residents could keep access clear on the day of collection wherever possible."

Over-zealous act

SIR - I agree wholeheartedly with Mr Pearce (T&A, March 9) regarding the treatment of the 79-year-old man arrested in the middle of the night on suspicion of criminal damage.

Perhaps the man was fortunate enough to have paid his council tax or even more so that he had a current road fund tax disc.

I am surprised there has been no protest from his councillor, MP or human rights advocate.

Surely the police should see this as an over-zealous act and proffer an apology and token compensation (say £4,500).

For some time I have had the nauseating feeling that I live in a fascist state.

Recently I learned that if I absentmindedly drop a cigarette end in a public place and am caught by a 'litter prevention officer', offer to pick it up but refuse to pay an 'on the spot' fine, I could find myself in a prison cell in my home town!

In the pages of my local newspaper I am encouraged to report road fund tax dodgers to the DVLA. What next?

E Dunn, Trenam Park Drive, Thackley.

A quiet word...

SIR - I see that a Commons Select Committee is recommending that people caught without a TV licence should no longer be prosecuted.

The reason given by chairman Sir Gerald Kaufmann is that many of these households are on low incomes or benefits, such as single mothers.

Because of my age, I get a free licence, so I couldn't possibly comment. However, there may be someone out there nave enough, or stupid enough, to actually pay the licence fee, who may care to have a quiet word with Sir Gerald.

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley.

Enjoy your trip

SIR - How nice to see that New Yorkers like Will Alsop's lake idea for Bradford.

No Bradfordians I have spoken to think it's a good idea, but we seem to be the last to be consulted.

I hope Maud Marshall enjoyed her jaunt to New York.

R Bishop, Wesley Avenue, Low Moor, Bradford.